Alabama football has one position among multiple that has to prove itself in the fall.
The wide receiver room is talented, but Kalen DeBoer has something in store for the group.
Crimson Tide fans know Kobe Prentice for his production in the last two years. They want to see more from Kendrick Law, Jaren Hamilton, and Jalen Hale; however, Hale suffered a knee injury in spring practice. The native Texan is recovering to prepare for his sophomore campaign, but no one knows when he will make his first appearance in the fall. Alabama also has several talented freshmen — including five stars Caleb Odom and Ryan Williams — but there are two rising athletes Tide fans need to watch in the upcoming season.
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A breakdown of both players is below.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
Emmanuel Henderson was one of the most talent in-state prospects in the 2022 recruiting class.
The Hartford (Ala.) native has matured into a complete receiver. He came to the Crimson Tide as a running back from Geneva County High School, but Henderson was moved to receiver.
Henderson is natural with the ball in his hands, but wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard has been impressed with his football knowledge, body control, burst in and out of routes, and overall development to be a factor in the fall.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder had a very good spring and made plays in the spring game.
Alabama’s offense had him playing in the slot, on the outside, and going into motion to receive end arounds on A-Day.
Alabama WRs Coach JaMarcus Shephard on why he’s impressed with Emmanuel Henderson this spring:
“That boy can run. The ability to drop his weight and get in and out of breaks has immensely improved. He has been everything I’ve wanted him to be.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/C8l8TDTN2P
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 27, 2024
“That boy can run, E-Man can run,” Shephard said about Henderson in spring practice. “In the time that I have been here his ability to drop his weight, get in and out of his breaks has improved tremendously. He has become more and more of a guy that can be counted on to understand the why behind what we are doing on the football field. I have been impressed with him.”
Henderson has potential to be a 1,000-yard wide receiver.
He battled through an injury last year, but now Henderson is ready to take over.
Cole Adams
Cole Adams is an underrated name that people should pay more attention to.
He was a four-star prospect in Alabama’s 2022 signing class from Oklahoma.
Adams was a world-class speedster in track, clocking 6.98 seconds in the indoor 60 meters, 10.65 seconds in the 100 meters, and 22.27 seconds in the 200 meters at Owasso High School. In football, a shoulder injury sidelined him after the first game of his senior season.
He caught 55 passes for 913 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while returning kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns as a junior.
The 5-foot-10, 186-pounder showed a lot of toughness in the spring game for Alabama.
Adams took a few big hits, but held onto the football for marquee catches.
He showed consistent hands all spring, providing the coaching staff a reason to trust him.
Overall
Henderson and Adams should get playing time in the fall.
Both give Alabama playmakers as receivers and return specialists. Henderson can play in the slot or outside while Adams possesses the toughness to do it as well. People have focused on the freshmen, yet it’s time to look at Henderson and Adams.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
